System and method for automatically adjusting merchandise pricing at a service-oriented interface terminal based upon the quantity of users present at the terminal

• US 20020103769A1
• Filed: 01/29/2001
• Published: 08/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Smith, Gordon James
• Granted Patent: US 6,968,325 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/400
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

A business method prompts users of electronic payment cards and automatically adjusts automobile fuel pricing based upon the number of passengers in a vehicle at a refueling station. When the driver stops to refuel the vehicle, the system prompts the driver to insert a payment card to pay for the fuel. If there are other passengers in the vehicle, they too are prompted to insert their cards to indicate that they are riding with the driver. The system is provided with numerous protocols for ensuring that the system is not inappropriately circumvented. For example, the system can verify that the additional cards are not from other patrons at the same service center, or that the additional cards are not from other family members of the purchasing card holder. After all cards have been read and verified, the reduced price of the fuel is displayed and the fuel is dispensed.

Claims

1. A method of automatically pricing merchandise during a remote point of purchase action at a facility that permits such actions, said method comprising:

(a) prompting a purchaser with a purchase option for merchandise at a first merchandise price during a transaction at the facility;

(b) prompting the purchaser for any users associated with the purchaser;

(c) calculating a second merchandise price based upon a quantity of said any users indicated in step (b);

(d) permitting the purchaser to purchase merchandise at the second merchandise price.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) requires the purchaser to enter information with a data storage device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein steps (a) and (b) require the purchaser and each of said any users to enter information with a data storage device.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises reducing the second merchandise price from the first merchandise price when at least one user is associated with the purchaser.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises inversely relating the second merchandise price to the quantity of said any users.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of verifying each of the purchaser and said any users with a personal identification code.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of auditing the facility to confirm that the second merchandise price is an appropriate price.

8. A method of automatically pricing fuel during a remote point of purchase action at a refueling facility, said method comprising:

(a) prompting a purchaser with purchase options including a first fuel price during a transaction at the refueling facility;

(b) prompting the purchaser for any passengers commuting with the purchaser in a vehicle;

(c) calculating a second fuel price based upon a quantity of said any passengers indicated in step (b), wherein the second fuel price is lower than the first fuel price when there is at least one passenger commuting with the purchaser; and

(d) permitting the purchaser to purchase fuel at the second fuel price.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein step (a) requires the purchaser to enter information with a data storage device.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein steps (a) and (b) require the purchaser and each of said any passengers to enter information with a data storage device.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein step (c) comprises inversely relating the second fuel price to the quantity of said any passengers.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of verifying each of the purchaser and said any passengers with a personal identification code.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of auditing the refueling facility to confirm that the second fuel price is an appropriate price.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein step (d) comprises inversely relating the second fuel price to the quantity of total passengers.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of verifying each of the purchaser and said any passengers with a personal identification code.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of auditing the refueling facility to confirm that the second fuel price is an appropriate price.

14. A method of automatically pricing fuel during a remote point of purchase action at a refueling facility, said method comprising:

(a) prompting a purchaser to enter information at a terminal at the refueling facility with a personal data storage device issued to the purchaser;

(b) allowing the purchaser to select purchase options including a first fuel price;

(c) prompting the purchaser and any passengers commuting with the purchaser in a vehicle to enter information at the terminal with a personal data storage device issued to each of the passengers;

(d) calculating a second fuel price based upon a quantity of total passengers commuting together in the vehicle, wherein the second fuel price is lower than the first fuel price when there is at least one passenger commuting with the purchaser; and

(e) permitting the purchaser to purchase fuel at the second fuel price.